Riverside County to Expand Behavioral Health Resources in Blythe

News Release

2018

Jan03

Riverside County to Expand Behavioral Health Resources in Blythe

BLYTHE – Riverside County will boost clinic hours and staffing, train hospital and law
enforcement personnel, and form a homeless outreach team as part of an expansion of mental health
services in the Palo Verde Valley.

The services will help alleviate issues with mounting homelessness in a region with limited
housing programs, as well as the strain on hospital and law enforcement resources tied up with
individuals in psychiatric distress. The Blythe Community Needs Program was initiated in response
to these concerns, which Supervisor V. Manuel Perez heard shortly after taking office.

“I engaged Riverside County Behavioral Health to find resources we can dedicate to address these
serious needs,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Behavioral Health championed this initiative and
is making a strong effort to help individuals in need and support the community. This is a very
beneficial, positive step, and our commitment is ongoing. We welcome ideas and partnerships to move
toward more mid- and long-range solutions.”

Supervisor Perez and Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health managers announced
the upcoming services at a press conference in Blythe on Dec. 19.

“This expansion is the result of a collaboration with community leaders, law enforcement,
medical and behavioral health professionals, consumers and elected officials,” said Steve
Steinberg, director of RUHS Behavioral Health. “We are pleased to have the support of Supervisor
Perez and the Blythe community in taking this step in providing greater access to behavioral health
care for Blythe residents.”

The Blythe Community Needs Program will add four staff to the county behavioral health clinic in
Blythe. The clinic will remain open later on weekdays with a crisis support team to respond to
individuals in crisis, including those brought in by local law enforcement.

The crisis team will engage consumers into same-day behavioral health and substance abuse
treatment. The goal is to provide care, reduce symptoms and break the cycle of police encounters
and emergency room use.

Another component of the plan is increased local training and support to hospital and law
enforcement staff. The county will offer training on 5150 and the use of non-violent crisis
intervention to the Palo Verde Hospital Emergency Department. Behavioral Health will arrange
customized training to the Blythe Police Department and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
in how to assist people experiencing behavioral health crises.

Finally, behavioral health will form a homeless outreach team. The two-person team will interact
with homeless individuals in the area, providing assessments and necessary referrals. The housing
crisis support team will assist these individuals in finding housing opportunities, as well as
accessing treatment at the clinic and other community services.

The new services and extended hours will begin once the necessary positions are filled and
trained. The county is recruiting for behavioral health specialists, clinical therapists and office
assistants. To apply, visit the Human Resources Web site at
www.rc-hr.com.